Square Enix has confirmed that Sephiroth will sound different in Final Fantasy VII Revelation, as the character’s English voice actor has been recast for the next chapter of the remake trilogy. Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed the change during an interview with YouTuber and Final Fantasy fan Maximilian Dood, shortly after the game’s reveal trailer appeared during Summer Game Fest 2026.
Fans quickly noticed that Sephiroth’s voice in the new gameplay footage sounded deeper and rougher than before. Hamaguchi confirmed that the change was intentional, explaining that Tyler Hoechlin, who previously voiced Sephiroth in recent Final Fantasy VII projects, was unavailable during development.
Tarvis Willingham Takes Over as Sephiroth
For Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the English version of Sephiroth will now be voiced by Tarvis Willingham. Willingham is a veteran voice actor with a long history across video games, animation, films and television. Many fans may recognise him from his work as Knuckles in Sonic Boom, or as Roy Mustang in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
He is also known for his work on Critical Role, where he is one of the main cast members, and for voicing Thor in several Marvel animated projects and games. Willingham has also worked on both the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts franchises before, giving him previous experience within Square Enix-related worlds.
Why the Change Matters to Fans
The voice actor change is significant because Tyler Hoechlin had become closely associated with Sephiroth across Square Enix’s modern Final Fantasy VII projects. Hoechlin voiced the character in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, as well as Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion and Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier.
Because Final Fantasy VII Revelation is expected to bring the remake trilogy toward its conclusion, some fans may be disappointed that the original English voice actor is not returning for the final stage of the story. At the same time, Willingham brings considerable experience and a strong voice-acting background to one of the most iconic villains in gaming.
Fans Noticed the Difference Immediately
The first gameplay trailer for Final Fantasy VII Revelation gave players their first proper look at the next remake entry, including a version of Sephiroth whose voice sounded noticeably different.
The lower and more gravelly delivery stood out quickly, leading fans online to question whether the role had been recast. Hamaguchi’s confirmation now makes it clear that the change was due to availability rather than a creative attempt to modify Sephiroth’s personality or tone.
Revelation Will Continue the Final Fantasy VII Remake Story
Final Fantasy VII Revelation is the next entry in Square Enix’s remake project, following Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The new trailer showed more of how Cloud and his companions will move into the next stage of the story, though Square Enix has not yet shared a specific release date.
The publisher has confirmed only that the game is planned for spring 2027. The game is expected to launch simultaneously across several platforms, including PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
A Major Moment for the Remake Trilogy
Sephiroth remains one of the central figures in Final Fantasy VII, so any change to his performance will attract attention. The character’s presence has shaped the remake trilogy from the beginning, and his role is expected to become even more important as Revelation pushes the story toward its next major turning point.
Whether fans accept the new voice quickly will likely depend on how Willingham’s performance develops across future trailers and the final game. For now, Square Enix has made the change official: Sephiroth has a new English voice in Final Fantasy VII Revelation, and players will hear more of that performance as the game moves closer to its 2027 release.